MARYLAND — Providers in the state warned that facilities cannot bear the costs of mandatory coronavirus testing for staff members after state health officials announced in mid-August plans to stop covering the testing costs.
The state disclosed its plan to stop conducting and sponsoring employee testing to industry advocates in late July. Maryland state health officials justified the move by saying that providers should be able to cover the testing costs thanks to federal coronavirus relief funding. Nursing homes are now expected to submit a plan to the state detailing how they will conduct their own weekly testing for staff members.
State regulations previously required nursing home staff members to be tested once per week — with tests costing between $100 and $125 per staff member, explained Allison Ciborowski, president of LeadingAge Maryland.
“This, coupled with all of the increased costs related to personal protective equipment really is putting a huge burden on providers that they are not set up to manage,” said Ciborowski.
The plans were required to be in place by Aug. 15.
From the September 2020 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
